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Dutch want access to Iran prisoner

Dutch-Iranian woman faces death sentence after being found guilty of drug smuggling, according to her daughter.

07 Jan 2011 05:09 GMT

Sahra Bahrami was reportedly arrested after taking part in anti-government demonstrations [GALLO/GETTY]

The Dutch foreign minister has called on Iran to provide details of the case of a Dutch-Iranian woman whose daughter says that she has been sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

Sahra Bahrami's daughter told Dutch radio on Wednesday that her mother had been sentenced to death in Iran, after being jailed in December 2009. Dutch diplomats have been denied access to the 46-year-old Bahrami, as Iran does not recognise her Dutch citizenship.

Uri Rosenthal, the Dutch foreign minister, said on Thursday that he was "very concerned" about Bahrami, and he called on Iran to provide "information, the opportunity to provide consular assistance and a fair trial".

Bahrami was reportedly arrested after taking part in anti-government demonstrations. She was born in Iran, but obtained Dutch citizenship after moving to the Netherlands.

The government of Iran does not recognise dual citizenship for its citizens.

Banafsheh Najebpour, Bahrami's daughter, told Radio Netherlands that her mother had been sentenced to death on Sunday. Bahrami is also facing trial for allegedly belonging to an armed opposition group. If found guilty, she could face another death sentence for that charge.